Shopify is returning to the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program after the state government reopened the program in August. The second round of the program coincides with the $807 million business support package recently announced by the state government.

Shopify is once again joining 13 other providers to help empower small businesses and entrepreneurs across Victoria on their digital journeys. 

Through the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program, eligible businesses across Victoria will be able to access a $1,200 rebate for selected digital products from participating providers. More than 8,000 businesses successfully applied for and received rebates in the first round.

As part of the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program, eligible Victorian businesses will receive first 30 days of Shopify for free, rebate on a one-year Shopify subscription and 24/7 support including access to online educational resources.

Closing on December 5, 2021, the program aims to make digitisation more accessible and comprehensive for small business owners.

Shopify managing director for Asia Pacific, Shaun Broughton said, “We are encouraged by the response and level of interest from VIC businesses during the first phase and is a clear indication of how important such programs are in supporting digitisation efforts. Shopify is proud to provide the tools and resources to help Victorian SMBs adapt, grow and thrive.”

Flowers on Melville is one Shopify merchant who applied for the rebate the first time around, with Nicole Henderson saying the Program helped save her business by allowing her to move her ecommerce website to a Shopify platform and link her POS system.

“After switching to Shopify, my sales increased significantly, and I believe it’s because customers are now able to navigate the website more easily and it’s been a seamless experience to stay on top of my stock levels,” she said.

“I highly encourage VIC small businesses to apply for the rebate for this second phase of the program to speed up your digitisation process and future proof your business against the impact of the pandemic.”

SerotoninKC is another Shopify merchant involved in the first round of the Program, with Roxxie Myers saying the opportunity was a “no brainer” to step up the businesses’ ecommerce game.

“After spending two years researching and developing formulas to launch our online store, WordPress was not doing it for us. It only took seven days to migrate our online store to the Shopify platform and within one week, we had customers in every state as our organic sales started to increase,” she said.

“Shopify was easy to set up and its integration with Google and social media platforms was great in helping to push catalogues through. We started with a range of 25 products and thanks to the success since moving to Shopify, we are now flooded with requests for more lines and more stockists.

“If you’re a business owner and you missed the first phase of the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program, just apply for it now and give your online store a boost with Shopify. Our successful business growth in this current climate would not have been possible without an ecommerce website.”